It is a form of P45.

We will see. Senator David Norris also raised the issue of the GRA and the AGSI. I agree with him that in respect of the off-duty garda who was canvassed in Meath East, it is hard to imagine disciplinary action being taken in that case, particularly as the debate between the off-duty garda and the Taoiseach was robust but amicable and they shook hands at the end.

The Taoiseach was told a few home truths.

I imagine home truths were exchanged on both sides.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe paid tribute to Mr. Jimmy Walsh. She also referred to the personal insolvency guidelines. I will seek a debate on the guidelines after they have been published in their final form.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh raised the issues of Easter 1916 and freedom of association and speech for the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. While I would welcome a debate on the right to protest and freedom of association, we must recognise that disciplined forces such as the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces are different. It is naive to suggest the recent incident can be compared to an elected politician walking out of the Dáil or Seanad Chamber. Incidentally, I am not inviting the Senator to do so. We must recognised that these are two very different scenarios. As a criminal lawyer, I have immense respect for the tough work done by gardaí, but I also recognise the importance of their role as a disciplined force.

It is worth noting that the GRA and the AGSI had an opportunity to participate in the negotiations facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission and were called upon to do so by the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Taoiseach and others.

They were not at the table but in a side room.

If I may correct the record, they chose not to participate. As the GRA and the AGSI are not trade unions, they are not represented by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. They would have had parallel negotiations, which is the position that applied to the Defence Forces' associations which concluded a deal with their management counterparts which was facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission. Their representatives chose to stay in the talks, as did the Prison Officers Association which represents another disciplined force and conducted parallel negotiations. The POA is different to the extent that it is represented by the ICTU. However, owing to the unique issues which arise in the Irish Prison Service, it was able to conduct parallel negotiations on behalf of its members. No one suggests prison officers and members of the Defence Forces were disadvantaged by sectoral talks. It is disappointing that the GRA and the AGSI chose to leave the process as they may well have shaped the outcome of the talks in the best interests of their members, as other comparable unions and associations did. That is an important context in which this row has emerged.

Senator Michael Mullins referred to the insolvency guidelines. I agree with him that it is galling for taxpayers to read the prescriptive advice that appears to have been given in the guidelines. He also raised the issue of salary levels in RTE and called for a debate on achieving value for money for the television licence fee. Perhaps that issue might best be discussed at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Senator Paschal Mooney referred to a visit yesterday to RTE by members of the joint committee and noted the good work done by the public service broadcaster. No one could defend the salary or fee levels at RTE. Part of the problem is the current pay structure in place because the figures published recently do not refer to salaries but fees negotiated, sometimes on an annual basis, with incorporated companies representing individual presenters. While the fees are excessive and disproportionate, there is clearly a process under way of negotiating them downwards. I welcome the significant cuts in fees and I am sure we will see them negotiated further downwards. The matter would best be addressed by the joint committee which may well invite RTE management to come before it to explain how the process of negotiating fees is undertaken.